Power attachment for pressing machines



23 1 Aug c. E. WAREAM POWER ATTACHMENT FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed Ja'n. 2'. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheetl IA' l "ENTOR A TTOR'NE Ys.

Aug, 23, 1927.

' POWER ATTAGHMENT FOR PRESSING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Shee t 2 Filed Jan. 2

C. E. WAREAM A TTORNEYS;

927 c. E. WAREAM POWER ATTACHMENT FOR RESSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 2. 1920 5 Shee's-Sheet [NVEN TOR Ca L/o a W A T TORN E YS Patented Aug.` 23, 1927. g I

PATENT OFFICE.

CHABLES E. WAREAM, OF NOEWOOD, OHIO.

POWER ATTACHMENT FOR PBESSING MACHINES.

Application filed January 2, 1920. Serial No. 348374.

This invention relates to pressing machines, such as are used for pressing coats, trousers, or other' articles of wearing apparel, or other articles or materials;

The object of the invention is to provide simple andimproved means for enabling the two pressing members to be brought together under heavier pressure than is ordinarilysecured by the efl"ort of the operator, and more particularly to provide improved power mechanism for a press of this kind which is actuated by fluid pressure, and in which the flow of pressure for the power operation may be readily controlled. A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid actuated power press in which the pressing members are brought together by the operator, the mechanism being so arranged that it is impossible to supply fluid pressure for the power operation unless theoperator has previously brought the pressing members into pressing relation, to thereby avoid injury to the' operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement in which the treadle by which the operator produces relative movement between the pressing members itself Controls the actuation of the !0 power means and prevents power actuation unless the press is closed.

F urtherbbjects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the press open; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2, Fig. 5; Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4-4, Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation on the line 5-5, F ig. 4, showing the press closed; and Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on the line 6-6, Fig. 4.

The press shown in the 'drawings comprises a suitable body'or frame 1 on which is supported the stationary lower pressing member .or garment support 2, which may be of any of the usual or suitable forms and which preferably is a hollow member heated by steam or ,the like On the frame is an upwardly extending pillar or support 3 for a swinging lever 4 one'arm of which carries an upper pressing member or head 5, which may also be heated by steam or the like, as is usual. The other arm of said lever may be provided with the usual counterweight 6, in addition to which the press may be provided with a counterbalancing spring or springs 7, if desired.

The press is actuated by a pressure treadle 8 connected by an adjustable link 9 to onearm 10 of a lever pivoted in the frame, the other arm 11 of said lever co-operating as a toggle member with a to gle link 12 which is connected at 13 to t e point of connection between two other toggle members, one of which, marked 14, is adjustable as to length and is connected to the Swinging lever and the other of which, marked 15, extends downwardly to the bed and is supported as will hereafter appear. By depressing the treadle 8 both sets of toggle members are closed, the parts noving to the position shown in Fig. 5, in which position the' head is in pressing engagement with the garment support under such pressure as is applied thereto by the foot of the operator. The parts may be locked in this position b a suitable looking device, such as the book 17 and which is arranged to move into latching engagement with a pin 18 on the treadle. 19 is a counterweight for the looking member and 20 a release treadle for moving said looking member to release position to'open the press. V

The power mechanism for producing heavy pressure between the pressing members comprises parts as follows:

- Referring to Fig. 6, toggle member 15 is mounted to turn upon an eccentric 21 supported to rotate with a shaft 22. The eccentric 21 carries a projection, such as a key 23, which works back and forth in an annularslot 24 of the eye portion of toggle member 15, the abrupt shoulders at the opposite ends of said slot forming abutments for co-operation with said key, as will later appear.- Shaft 22 is journaled in suitable bearings in the frame and is providedbn its outer end with a pinion or gear segment member 16 carried by the shaft 25 with which mesh the teeth of a rack 26 Secured to or forming part of a piston rod 27 connected to a piston 28 working within the chamber of a cylinder 29.

The flow of pressure to and from the chamber of the power cylinder is controlled by suitable valve mec anism. The ValVe mechanism shown in the drawings for this purpose comprises a suitably supported valve casing 30 having a fluid pressure supply chamber 31 to which fluid pressure, such as steam is supplied by a pipe 32, the' flow of pressure from said pipe to said chamber 31 being controlled by a needle valve 33. 34 represents a chamber in the valve casing which communicates with the cylinder 29 by a passage 35, while 36 represents an eX- haust chamber communicating with the atmosphere through a pipe 37. In chamber 31 is a valve 38 seating downwardly toward chamber 34 and controlling the flow of pressure to said chamber 34. In chamber 34 is a 'similar valve 39 seating downwardly and controlling the flow of pressure from chamber 34 to chamber 36. The valve stems 40 extend outwardly from the valve casing through stufling boxes and are pivotally connected to opposite arns of alever 41 pivoted at 42 to a bracket or support 43, one arm of -said lever being pivotally connected to a block 44-slidable on a rod 45 between two compression springs 46, the pressure of which may be adjusted by screwing up' the nuts 47. Said rod is connected at its lower end to one arm of an Operating treadle 48 pivoted at 49 to the frame and normally held in the position shown in Fig. 5 by a tension spring 50.

Referring to Fig. 3, 51 represents a bracket on the frame which 'supports a latching member 52 provided with a latching shoulder 53 and an arm 54 extending beneath the pressure treadle 8 and normally held upwardly by the compression spring 55.

The operation is as follows:

Let us assume that the press has been closed either by hand or by depressing the pressure treadle until the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 5. By depressing the power pressure treadle 48 rocl 45 is lifted, valve 38 is unseated and valve 39 is seated. Fluid pressure then flows to 'the cylinder, forces out the piston and through rack 26 and gear 25 turns shaft 22 and the eccentric 21 from the positionshown in Fig. 6, in a counterclockwise direction until. the lug 23 reaches the left hand end of slot 24. The eflect of eccentric 21 is to raise the lower endof the toggle memberl and apply heavy 'pressure to the pressing members. By removing the foot from the treadle 48 the spring turns said treadle and' the valves t'o the positions shown in Fig 2 and the flow of fluid pressure to the cylinder is cut off and the pressure in said cylinder flows to the exhaust, but the eccentric remains in the approximately dead center position to which it has been moved. Heavy pressure between the pressing members can therefore be maintained for as long a period as desired. 'Quick depression and release of treadle 48 cause a puff of steam to flow to the cylinder with the production of only the left in Fig. 3 until its shoulder 53 lies directly beneath the power pressure treadle 48, in which position it is impossible to depress the power pressure treadle. Said treadle can on y be depressed when the treadle 8 has been depressed sufliciently to reach the position shown in Fig. 3 and thereby has -moved the latch out of range of the downward movement of the power pressure treadle 48.

When the piston 28 is moved out by the fluid pressure behind it the lug 23 is turned to position at the left hand end of slot 24, Fig. 6. Release of pressure from the cylinder does not restore the eccentric 21 to its original position. However, by depressing the release treadle 20 the tension springs 7 open the press and thereby move the toggle link 15 inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1. The abutment at the end of the slot 24 in toggle member 15 applies the turning movement of link 15 around the shaft 22 to the key or projection 23 on the eccentric 21 and thereby turns the eccentric and shaft to their initial positions and forces the piston inwardly to its original position ready for another application of fluid pres- I sure.

What I claim is:

1. A- garment press, comprising upper and lower pressing members, means for movng the upper pressing member into engagement with the lower pressing member. means for holding said pressing members in engagement, power operated means effective upon said upper pressing member and movable through a part cycle to produce final pressure between said pressing members when said pressing members are in engagement. and release means for said holding means and inefl'ective upon said power operated means, whereby said holding means may be released prior to the completion of the cycle of move- `ment of said power operated means.

its cycle of movement.

3. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, means for closing the press, means for holding the press closed, power operated means movable' cngagement, power operated means effective.

upon the upper pressing member and movable through a part cycle to produce final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, release means for said holding means, and means for efi'ecting the completion of the cycle of movement of the, power operated means during the movement of the upper pressing member out of Ingagement with the lower pressing mem- 5. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, means for closingthe press, means for holding the press closed, power operated means movable through a part cycle for producng final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, release means for said holding means, and a lost motion means 'effective .upon said power operated means and operable by opening of the press to effect the completion of the cycle of movement of said power operated-means.

6. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, toggle means for closing the press, means for holding the press closed, an eccentric efl'ective upon said toggle means and movable through a part cycle toproduce final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, release means'for said holding means and inefiective upon said eccentric, whereby said holding means may be released prior to the completion of the cycle of movement of said,

eccentric.

7 A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, toggle means for closing t ie press, means for holding the press closed, an eccentric effective upon said toggle means and movable through a part cycle to produce final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, i

release means for said holding means, and a pin and slot connection between said eccentric and said toggle means, whereby opening of the press is effective upon said eccentric to complete its cycle of movement.

'8. A garment press, comprising upper and lower pressing members, means for moving the upper pressing member into engagement with the lower pressing member, power operated means effective upon, said upper pressing member for producng final pressure between the pressing members when said members are in engagement, means for holding the pressing members in engagement, means for releasin said holding means, and other means for moving the upper pressing member from the position to which it has been moved by the power operated meansout of' engagement with the lower pressing member.

9. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, toggle means for closing the pre ss, an eccentric effective upon said toggle means for producng final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, power means, and a rack and pinion connection between said power means and said eccentric.

10. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, toggle means for closin the press, Operating means for said togg e means, an eccentric effective upon said toggle means for producng final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, a fluid pressure mechanism for Operating said eccentric, valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid pressure mechanism, a treadle 'or operating said valve, and means operated by the toggle Operating means for controlling the operation of said treadle.

11. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, toggle means for closing the press, Operating means for said toggle means, an eccentric effective y upon said toggle means for' producng final pressure between the pressing members when the press is closed, a fluid pressure piston and cylinder structure, a rack and vpinon .connection between said piston and cylinder structure and said eccentric, Valve means for controlling the operation of said piston and' cylinder structure, a lever for Operating said valve means, and means operated by said toggle operatingmeans for controlling the operation of said lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLEs E. WAREAMJ CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Pateht No. H,640,@115 Granted August 23, 1927, to

CHARLES E., WAREAM;

Et ia hereby certifiied that the above numbered patent was erroneousiy issued to .the ihvetor said "Waream" whereas said Letters Patent should have been issue@ hy direct and mesne assignments of one-half to "The American Laundry Mechihery Company of NOI'WOOd, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, and one-ha to "United States Hottman Machinery Corporation", a corporationof Deiaware, as shown hy the records ofassignnents in this office; and that the said Letter Pateht shehid he read wi th this correction thei-ein that the same ma conform to the record of the ease in the Patent'office.

Signed and seancat this 20th day'ot December, A. D. 11927# M.. I?. Moore eafl, Acting Gornmiseioher of Patents. 

